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The Dry House Weekly - Week 3

  • Writer: Yuri Gijselman
    Yuri Gijselman
  • Aug 7
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 11

Welcome to Week 3 of The Dry House Weekly, where we continue our deep dive into building a tropical villa using dry construction methods — no plaster, no concrete, and absolutely no wet trades.
In this edition, we explore how the external envelope — both the cladding and the roof — are designed using lightweight, modular, and sustainable materials.

Phase 3: The Envelope


  1. Cladding
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In tropical architecture, cladding serves not just an aesthetic function but is also critical in regulating thermal comfort, resisting moisture, and ensuring durability.
Cladding Materials:
  • Engineered bamboo panels with UV-resistant oil finish
  • Recycled timber slats, pre-treated and modular
  • Compressed agricultural waste panels (like coconut husk or rice hull board)
  • Metal rainscreen panels with ventilated backing

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These cladding systems are:
  • Factory-fabricated for precision and minimal on-site labor
  • Installed using mechanical fasteners only — no adhesives or mortar
  • Raised from the structural frame via ventilated batten systems to promote airflow
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Design Principle: Double Skin
A ventilated façade system creates a thermal buffer, reducing heat gain and allowing walls to “breathe.” This approach is ideal for hot, humid climates with heavy rainfall.

  1. Roofing
For a home in a tropical setting, the roof must address both heat and monsoon rains. Here, we turned to lightweight, prefabricated roofing systems.
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Roofing System
  • Engineered bamboo trusses, assembled with bolts
  • Roof covering: corrugated metal sheets or bamboo composite tiles
  • Radiant barrier membranes + cross-ventilation gaps under roof deck
  • Modular eaves and overhangs for sun/rain protection

All elements are assembled dry, using brackets, screws, and clips — with no sealants, welding, or coatings applied on-site.
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Natural Ventilation Strategy
Strategically designed ridge vents, soffit vents, and gable openings allow hot air to escape — creating a passive cooling system that requires no electricity.

Key Benefits of Dry Envelope Construction
  • Rapid, all-weather installation
  • High thermal performance with passive cooling
  • Fully dismountable or upgradeable systems
  • Low site impact and waste generation

In Phase 4, we’ll look at the window & door systems — all designed to be installed without any wet applications.
 
 
 

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